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Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

HaloZero writes "The title was publicly revealed today in a special presentation to a packed audience of Star Wars fans at Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. The title wasn't the only surprise for those in attendance at the presentation. Click here for news about even more Star Wars DVDs in 2004 and 2005, surprise celebrity guests, new planets in Episode III, and more."

84 of 537 comments (clear)

  1. A REPORTER GUESSED THIS OVER A MONTH AGO! by Real+Troll+Talk · · Score: 5, Informative

    A USA Today reporter guessed this title over a month ago! We can't believe it.

    Listen up, this is a true story!

    Last month we were reading this USA Today article at http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-06-14-aid s-benefit_x.htm.

    We forgot we had read it, but just now we went back to the article and remembered the final few paragraphs of the reporter interviewing Lucas at a gay AIDS banquet:

    "We caught George Lucas wandering around the grounds with his daughter, Katie. The director said the title of Star Wars: Episode III won't officially be announced until November, when the first trailer hits theaters.

    But he conceded that fans on Web sites already have guessed correctly. So we threw a couple of rumored titles at him: Rise of the Empire? "No, that's not it," Lucas said. How about Revenge of the Sith?

    With that, Lucas smiled knowingly, backed away and teased, "That's a possibility. Lots of titles out there ...""


    Can you believe THAT?! He basically gave it away over a month ago and no one said anything for the most part!

    Anyway, that's awesome, but we have some other suggestions. We just don't care for the title that Lucas picked.

    Here. Here's a poll for your favorite GOOD Star Wars title.

    Pick from the following and reply to this post with your favorite:

    Star Wars Episode III: Dawn of the Empire
    Star Wars Episode III: Final Strike
    Star Wars Episode III: The Fallen Jedi
    Star Wars Episode III: The Lost Prophecy
    Star Wars Episode III: The Deception
    Star Wars Episode III: Hope Lost
    Star Wars Episode III: The Lost one

    --

    If you liked my post,
    1. Re:A REPORTER GUESSED THIS OVER A MONTH AGO! by Drooling+Iguana · · Score: 5, Funny

      Star Wars Episode III: Some Damn Fool Idealistic Crusade

      --
      ... I'm addicted to placebos
    2. Re:A REPORTER GUESSED THIS OVER A MONTH AGO! by drinkypoo · · Score: 5, Funny
      This one should have the same title that both episodes I and II should have: Star Wars Episode n: The Search for More Money.

      "I see you have the ring, and your schwartz is as big as mine..."

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:A REPORTER GUESSED THIS OVER A MONTH AGO! by FuzzyBad-Mofo · · Score: 5, Funny

      I like this one better:

      Star Wars Ep III: The Death of Jar-Jar

    4. Re:A REPORTER GUESSED THIS OVER A MONTH AGO! by Ari_Haviv · · Score: 2, Funny

      how about Star Wars Episode III: Death of Jar Jar
      I can still dream right?

      --
      Join Team Mozilla #38050 Folding@home
    5. Re:A REPORTER GUESSED THIS OVER A MONTH AGO! by linzeal · · Score: 2, Funny

      Star Wars Episode III: We are the Sith, you will know us by our Hot Pants.

    6. Re:A REPORTER GUESSED THIS OVER A MONTH AGO! by glitch! · · Score: 5, Funny

      Star Wars Ep III: The Death of Jar-Jar

      Someone else posted an even better one: "The Passion of Jar-Jar". It's just two hours of Jar-Jar getting beaten.

      --
      A dingo ate my sig...
    7. Re:A REPORTER GUESSED THIS OVER A MONTH AGO! by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 2, Interesting

      how about

      Rise of the Sith

      at least it sounds better than the lame meaningless [mockingly creepy voice] Revenge of the Sith!!! [/mockingly creepy voice]

      I mean really, what are they getting revenge for?

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    8. Re:A REPORTER GUESSED THIS OVER A MONTH AGO! by gamgee5273 · · Score: 3, Informative
      If you need to ask what the Sith are getting revenge for then you don't know the story.

      Back around the time of the Knights of the Old Republic videogames, the Jedi beat the Sith down brutally and to the point where the Jedi think there are no Sith left. But, unknown to the Jedi, there is one left. He takes an apprentice and sets the Rule of Two (one Sith master, one Sith apprentice). And so it goes for thousands of years, until Darth Sidious and his apprentices.

      Think about what Darth Maul said on Coruscant and Yoda said at Qui-gon's funeral in TPM. Then, when you also remember that ROTJ was originally Revenge of the Jedi (and then Lucas decided that Jedi do not take revenge), the title choice makes even more sense. The title has been obvious for years - you only needed to pay attention.

  2. How about "Revenge of the Children's Merchandise" by Enlarge+Your+Penis · · Score: 2, Funny

    A far more honest title

  3. Forget Star Wars... by SilentChris · · Score: 3, Funny

    Where's Indiana Jones?

  4. Name change to come.. by arkham6 · · Score: 5, Funny

    50 bucks says that revenge will sound too violent, and they movie will be renamed 'Return of the Jedi ^H^H^H^HSith' soon.

    1. Re:Name change to come.. by tuffy · · Score: 4, Informative
      Funny, I thought it was because it was too similar to "The Revenge of Khan" (which was changed to "The Wrath of Khan")

      "The Wrath of Khan" was originally "the Vengeance of Khan" but changed because it sounded too similar to the supposed "Revenge of the Jedi". And before it was "the Vengeance of Khan", it was "the Undiscovered Country". According the Leonard Nimoy's autobiography.

      --

      Ita erat quando hic adveni.

  5. Revenge of the Nerds.... er Sith by SalMoriarty · · Score: 5, Funny

    The plot:

    The Sith get kicked out of their house by the Jedi and have to move into the gym. They get mad, find a sponsor, then move in to beat the Jedi in the annual Corsucant fair and talent show.

    The Sith reign supreme from then on.

    1. Re:Revenge of the Nerds.... er Sith by petra13 · · Score: 4, Funny
      The dialogue:

      Obi-Wan: You must not give in to the Dark Side
      Anakin: Damnit, Obi-Wan, I'm a bad actor, not a Jedi.

  6. That title isn't surprising by Eudial · · Score: 3, Funny

    "The renvenge of the teletubbies" would sure surprise me 100% more.

    --
    GAAH! MY PRINTER IS ON FIRE!!! PUT IT OUT! PUT IT OUT!
    1. Re: That title isn't surprising by Black+Parrot · · Score: 3, Funny


      > "The renvenge of the teletubbies" would sure surprise me 100% more.

      Ah, yes. Young Annakin throws himself into a volcano upon learning that his father is none other than the notorious Tinkie Skywinkie. After being maliciously rescued by a wandering band of Ewok jongleurs he dedicates his life to the destruction of all that is good and gold and gay, starting with his own droid C3PO.

      --
      Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  7. How about: by AgentPhunk · · Score: 3, Funny

    Star Wars III: Return of the Suckage

  8. One has to wonder by Savet+Hegar · · Score: 3, Interesting

    how much more continuity Lucas is going to flush down the toilet with this film. He gives the book writers creative license but makes them follow a pre-determined origin and fate with the characters, and then totally pisses on them with the movies. Boba Fett is a prime example. In the books, he was Jaster Mareel before he was Boba Fett. His ship was custom made, not a stolen prison ship. The ship part was taken from the Bounty Hunter video game. It was a good game, but still didn't do a good job of repairing the Bobba/Jango/Jaster thing. LOL....I guess this post proves I have no life.

    --
    Mod points are pointless when you browse at -1.
    1. Re:One has to wonder by shokk · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Who's to say Jaster isn't a cover he has to pick up somewhere along the way to go into hiding for committed as a youthful indiscretion. Besides, since Boba won't be more than 10 in this movie, his younger days can still be left up to the writers.

      --
      "Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart, he dreams himself your master."
  9. Re:I know it's trendy to mock Lucas's titles latel by Ralph+Wiggam · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's even a better mirror when you consider that the original title of Jedi was "Revenge of the Jedi" (good nerds have drooled over the poster).

    -B

  10. Bring out the acronym by Mephie · · Score: 5, Funny
    Can't wait for the shortned form:

    Star Wars Episode III: ROTS.

    Yeah, that's likely pretty accurate.

  11. The real revenge of the Sith... by Dutchmaan · · Score: 3, Funny

    The whole prequel series has been the revenge of the Sith on Star Wars fans.

    This is the dark side of the trilogy!

  12. Revenge? by Nurgled · · Score: 2, Insightful

    What exactly are the Sith "avenging"? I can't think of anything the "good guys" have done so far that wasn't provoked by the "bad guys", so as far as I can see there's no revenge here -- just business as usual for the bad guys.

    1. Re:Revenge? by jomas1 · · Score: 2, Informative

      "What exactly are the Sith "avenging"? I can't think of anything the "good guys" have done so far that wasn't provoked by the "bad guys", so as far as I can see there's no revenge here -- just business as usual for the bad guys."

      There are what 2 Sith left? The Jedi thought they eradicated the Sith. Now the Sith will eradicate the Jedi except for Yoda and Obi Wan. This seems kind of straight forward.

    2. Re:Revenge? by demaria · · Score: 2, Informative

      Well there was that little genocide of the Sith about a thousand years before Episode 1 takes place, where the Jedi kill off almost all Sith. I think that pissed them off a bit.

    3. Re:Revenge? by Jugalator · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Hmm... But for something like a movie title, you'd think they referred to something happening in the movies. All the other 5 titles do.

      --
      Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
    4. Re:Revenge? by NoMoreNicksLeft · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Obviously, they are avenging the reluctance of american consumers to buy into the entire merchandising gearup of TPM. My god, Lucas sold the entire fast food plastic cup rights to KFC/Pizza Hut, and those restaurants didn't see their marketshare or short-term revenue go up 100fold at all!. Fuck, they didn't even quadruple. What was wrong with people? Where were the ravening hordes of foaming at the mouth plastic cup collectors that just had to have 62 copies of the Jaba the Hut Anus cups (week 11)? Where were they? Were their basements full from all the collecting they did during the 70s and 80s? Unlikely. Besides, storage space is easily available, often for less than $200 a month for the 40' x 40' that the modest Star Wars fans require.

      You people let George Lucas down. All of you.

  13. The title... by KoshClassic · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I don't care if he calls it Gigli Part 2, just so long as the movie is actually good this time.

    --
    Understanding is a three edged sword. - Ambassador Kosh Naranek, Babylon 5
  14. With the unfortunate acronym... by Geckoman · · Score: 3, Funny
    ...Star Wars: ROTS

    Gee...I hope that's not an omen.

  15. Re:How about more plot coherrence by slavetrade55 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I dunno how much the plot of the first episode resembled a sunday morning cartoon (maybe the characters did)...Seriously, what do kids know about trade sanctions, diplomatic engagements and senate politics? Except that they make for a boring setup for a movie that's supposed to be an exciting epic space opera.

    Still, I liked it more than Ep.2.

  16. Indiana Jones? by Orion+Blastar · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oh yeah, I think they got a new one:

    Indiana Jones IV: The Nursing Home Adventures

    Watch an aging Indy in a wheelchair fight off seniale ex-Nazis in a search for the bathroom so he doesn't have to use that bedpan any more. Yet when he gets there, a seniale ex-Nazi has the last roll of toliet paper! Watch as they battle it out with canes, and pause many times to take a breather and adjust their bifocal glasses.

    See Indy wonder were Shortround is, and why he had him committed to the nursing home.

    Watch as Indy trys to make a break and sneak past Nurses readying trashy novels during the night time hours.

    Watch the drama that unfolds during the Bingo game.

    Uh, yeah, right, whatever. That's another one I am not going to see. :)

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    1. Re:Indiana Jones? by TheShadowHawk · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Sounds a little like the plot for Bubba-Hotep.

      --
      Friends don't let Friends use Internet Explorer.
  17. Mr. Lucas by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dear Mr. Lucas,

    If you must post here, please sign up to a Slashdot user account so we at least know it's you. Otherwise people will get the impression that someone really gives a crap about your stupid franchise anymore.

    Kind Regards,
    Boba Fett

    1. Re:Mr. Lucas by Bullet-Dodger · · Score: 4, Funny

      Oh, you're just bitter 'cause he killed your dad.

  18. Re:he just had to have revenge by Limburgher · · Score: 4, Funny

    Not to flame, but is there something wrong with your keyboard? :)

    --

    You are not the customer.

  19. The Old "Making of..." Documentaries by GuyMannDude · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Jim Ward, Vice President of Marketing for Lucasfilm and Executive Producer of the DVDs spoke about the upcoming release, and announced that the epic feature-length documentary, Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy, would appear as a special edited-for-television edition on the A&E network this fall.

    Okay, so this question isn't exactly about Episode III. Bear with me, please.

    Does anyone know if this 'Empire of Dreams' documentary is going to include all the stuff from the "Making of..." specials they showed on TV in the 80s? Even though I was a kid at the time, I thought those things were fascinating. And I think today, after being innundated with all those "Making of..." featurettes on DVD which just feature some pasty-faced geek typing away at a computer, watching how spfx were done before computers would really be exciting to see again.

    Does anyone know if that stuff is going to be included? Or is this new documentary just going to be a bunch of interviews with cast and crew, reminiscing about the good old days? Something tells me that Lucas would be hard-pressed to let people see the "archaic" (read: non-computer) means they used for spfx in the original trilogy.

    GMD

  20. Insanity by astrashe · · Score: 5, Funny

    They say that one definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different outcome.

    But this new movie is going to be good. Really, it will. I have a very good feeling about it -- you can tell from the logo.

  21. Re:Yes! by NTmatter · · Score: 4, Funny

    You are making the faulty assumption that Prequels and Sequels are a subset of Natural Numbers (I, II, III) when they are in fact a subset of Real Numbers. I Refer you to Lion King 1 1/2. This could mean that we'll be forced to endure a perpetual (infinite) series of Star Wars sequels and prequels. Imagine it now... Star Wars PI: Circle of Hatred. Oh, the horror, the horror. Jar Jar wages war upon the Ewoks to capture their stockpiles of collectible trading cards and plush dolls. Stop the madness!

  22. Re:he just had to have revenge by GuyMannDude · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So now they have 'Revenge od the Sith'. Fine Sith is all about revenge, but what is it a revenge of? did a Jedi knock up palpatines sister and Now he wnats to get even? Did Obi-One park in the 'Sith of the months' parking spot?

    I know you're just joking around, but I think you're making a good point here. At no point have we seen any motivation for why the Sith are the way they are. I think this signficantly detracts from the movies. If Lucas decides to explain the source of the Sith's hatred in this final film, I would definitely appreciate the effort (as long as he doesn't reduce it to something as stupid as mitochlorians).

    In the 2-on-1 lightsabre duel from Epsiode I there is a moment where the fighting has ceased. Gui-Con and Darth Maul are separated by a plasma wall and Obi-won is even further away. Maul walks around like a caged tiger while Gui-Con just sits there meditating. This is not exciting! This does not build suspense! This does not move the story foward! I couldn't believe that they would just sit there like that. That was the perfect opportunity for a short conversation between warriors to take place and give the audience insight into the conflict! Doesn't Maul have anything to say? Doesn't he even want to mock the jedi? Is Gui-Con so dead to the world that he's not even remotely curious why this guy has appeared out of nowhere to kill him?

    I, too, would like to know what this "revenge" the Sith want is all about. Here's hoping that Lucas will finally answer this question in the new film. Otherwise, it just becomes a stupid white hats vs. black hats space western. Aren't we a little old for that?

    GMD

  23. Re:he just had to have revenge by drinkypoo · · Score: 5, Funny

    I take issue with your statement that there's no explanation as to why the sith are the way they are. We've been beaten over the head with it through the entire series, or put another way, through two series (the one movie yet to be released notwithstanding) and that reason is simply that they are the dark side. The dark side is about everything bad in the world, evil, destruction, violence, hatred. Just as the Jedi strive to embody the opposites of these ideals, the Sith represent them. There is great power in the dark side, but of course the whole point of the movies is that good triumphs over evil because evil is focused on destruction or something like that. Maybe I kind of missed the point though, I thought I almost had it in the third movie, but then a bunch of muppets showed up, and then they put carrie fisher in a bronze bikini and I totally lost my train of thought.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  24. Re:How about "Return of Star Trek"? by casuist99 · · Score: 2, Informative

    But the Vulcans are supposedly from our own galaxy, not a galaxy far, far away. Oh, and vulcan space travel would be occurring now or in the future vs. a long time ago as Star Wars supposedly took place.

  25. Hope Lost by Wind_Walker · · Score: 4, Funny
    Star Wars Episode III: Hope Lost

    Well, that describes my attitude towards the movie, anyways.

    </karmawhore>

  26. Re:Damn it, damn it, damn it by rppp01 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I think this is the draw for me, with regards to the franchise.

    I loved the evil evil person that darth vader was. He scared me. His empire scared me. And there was this small group of people fighting this monolith of evil.

    The prequels have been about 'nobility' as it slowly falls to this rise of this evil. But it hasn't done anything to make me feel like the 'evil' side of things did in the first 3.

    And I just watched them 2 weeks ago. I saw them as a kid, and Vader still is 'the man' when it comes to bad guys. No amount of R2D2, or Boba Fett or Yoda will change that.

    --
    They stuck me in an institution, said it was the only solution, to...protect me from the enemy, myself
  27. Re:he just had to have revenge by sg3000 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    > At no point have we seen any motivation for why the Sith are
    > the way they are

    My understanding is that Star Wars canon says that the Jedi wiped out the Sith 1000 years before TPM. There may have been something later than that, but Darth Maul did say in TPM, "At last we'll reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we'll have our revenge." Too bad for Darth Maul the actual revenge didn't happen until Episode III when Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader kills almost all the Jedi (presumably). Thus the "Revenge of the Sith" title. Good job to Lucas on the title, BTW.

    --
    Insert simplistic political, ideological, or personal proselytization here.
  28. Those poor, poor sperm by noewun · · Score: 4, Funny
    Hyperspace: The Official Star Wars Fan Club.

    That's a lot of DNA which will never get passed on.

    --
    I am a believer of momentum and curves.
  29. Re:Yes! by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 2, Funny
    before he decides it's time to go on...

    Even if he dies, his family will probably hire the 'Police Academy' people to pimp, er, pump out a few more golden kernels. And with the Sonny 'Look Out For That Tree!' Bono Perpetual Copyright Act, it will be a never ending gravy train. Let's face it: like herpes, Star Wars will be around for a long, long time.

  30. Re:he just had to have revenge by bckrispi · · Score: 4, Interesting
    The novelization of TPM explains it. The sith used to number in the thousands. Because of the corrupting nature of the Dark Side, infighting was common. This division of their forces allowed the Jedi to wipe the Sith threat from the galaxy. Only one Sith, Darth Bane, survived. Learning from the mistakes of the past, he enacted the doctorine of only two sith at a time - Master and Apprentice. Yes, the film could have delved into this, but I think any reasonable viewer, after hearing Darth Maul say "At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge!", could easily draw the conclusion that there is hella bad blood between the Jedi & the Sith.

    W.R.T your comments on the TPM lightsaber battle, I can't help but disagree. What Lucas lacks in ability to pen effective dialog, he *more* than makes up for in visuals. At the point when the three were seperated by the laser fields, you were able to gain great insight into each of the character's motives. You're right, Maul was pacing "like a caged animal". There's no better way to describe this. His whole purpose in Palpatine's plan is to be an assassin and enforcer. At this point, his entire focus was on his blind hatred of the Jedi. Qui-gon, knowing he was overmatched, took a moment to meditate. The simple act of him closing his eyes at this moment gives the most revealing insight into his character: He has total trust in the Force. Even when faced with the most fearsome opponent of his life, and every instinct in his human nature should be telling him not to take his eyes off of Maul, he is able to resist, control his fear, and put his total faith in the Force guiding his actions. Obi-wan, seperated from his master is torn between the two, unsure of what his next move should be. His inexperience and immature knowledge of the force are now painfully obvious. In one shot, he looks at the barrier as though he is trying to will it open, but to no avail. This scene was brilliant, and to add dialog to it would have ruined the moment.

    And as far as your White Hat/Black hat western comment. Well, sorry, that's what you're gonna get. If you look at the OT, it doesn't get any more good guys vs. bad guys than the Rebels vs. the Empire, and that aspect isn't gonna change. Lucas has said since the 70's that this was his goal: to make a "space western" in the flavor of the saturday sci-fi serials that he grew up with.

    --
    Xenon, where's my money? -Borno
  31. Re:Who cares? by bckrispi · · Score: 3, Informative

    This question was answered Months ago and numerous times . The DVD will only be of the Special Editions.

    --
    Xenon, where's my money? -Borno
  32. Re:he just had to have revenge by n8_f · · Score: 5, Funny

    At no point have we seen any motivation for why the Sith are the way they are.

    The Sith hate the Jedi because they love freedom. ...and they tried to kill off all the Sith. But mainly it's the freedom thing.

  33. Has anyone noticed? by Savet+Hegar · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The new first 2 movies follow the general flow of the original first two?

    Episode 1 & 4:

    They are being chased/hunted, making several escapes, narrowly escaping defeat. Each movie ends with a very clear ending and a large ceremony celebrating the victory.

    Episode 2 & 5:

    This episode tells a story with family ties. In the 5th episode, we find out that Vader is really Anakin. In the 2nd episode, we see anakin falling in love with Padme. Both episodes end in a continuation type ending, leaving more questions than answers, with no real closure.

    Episode 3 & 6? Will 3 follow the layout of episode 6?

    Does it seem like Lucas is using the cookie cutter approach?

    if ($works_first_time)
    {
    $do_again = 1;
    }

    --
    Mod points are pointless when you browse at -1.
    1. Re:Has anyone noticed? by AceCaseOR · · Score: 3, Funny
      Episode 3 & 6? Will 3 follow the layout of episode 6?

      Does it seem like Lucas is using the cookie cutter approach?

      Hopefully in Episode 3, instead of the "cute" (to George Lucas) creatures (which would be, in this case, the Gungans) triumphing, they will be instead driven to extinction by Empire rendering Naboo uninhabitable. Jar-Jar gets a magnificently prolonged death scene where, due to his stupidity, he believes Anakin is still a good guy throughout the course of the film, but finally figures it out when Anakin Force Chokes Jar-Jar to death in a magnificent death scene that takes 5 minutes for Jar Jar to die agonizingly in great physical and psychological pain.

      And finally, as Jar-Jar expels his last breath and slumps to the ground, the audience will rise as one... in a standing ovation, for the most hated and reviled one is dead. ^_^

      --
      Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
  34. I just ebayed the original trilogy on LaserDisc by maynard · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The new original trilogy Star Wars DVDs are going to contain further changes beyond what was in the 'Special Edition' releases. Rumors are that Christian Haydensen will be digitally added in, replacing the original actor for Darth Vader (whose name I don't know and won't bother to look up). I'm sure there will be more changes. Whatever Lucas releases, it won't be what I saw as a nine year old child in 1977. Star Wars is an important cultural phenomenon which radically affected the late seventies. I remember seeing the film something like ten times with all my friends that summer, bugging our parents 'til they absolutely hated the movie. Empire was just as big, and I remember seeing that a bunch of times with friends too. None of us much liked Return of the Jedi though.

    Lucas refuses to release his originals, as if by removing them from market they will cease to exist. A filmmaker who destroyed his own work in a Quixotic search for the continuing perfection of his one significant piece; without any new ideas, paths, or art to express. What about future historians who wish to research the cultural shifts the movie set in force or effects technology of that era? Lets hope there's a 35mm print somewhere in the Library of Congress somewhere safe. Yeah, he owns it. It's his copyrighted work. He should have every right to change it as he sees fit. But he shouldn't have the right to revoke history in the process. Yet another example of IP trampling culture.

    So I bought the original trilogy in widescreen on Laserdisc. It's not anamorphic DVD, so I suppose it could look better. But it's what I remember as a kid. Cheesy model effects, the Guido murder Han, and all. Wonder if these old LDs will be worth something soon...

    --Maynard

    1. Re:I just ebayed the original trilogy on LaserDisc by SemperUbi · · Score: 5, Insightful
      "Lucas refuses to release his originals, as if by removing them from market they will cease to exist."

      This felt so unfair to me at first. I've still got the original VHS tapes of the original movies. I thought, wow, how lucky I am to have something that will probably never make it out onto DVD.

      But then I came to my senses. Lucas knows full well how many people want to own the original films on DVD. I predict that after the altered original trilogy goes on sale, the REAL originals will too, after a few years, and probably in 2007, just in time for the first movie's 30th anniversary.

      This would squeeze the maximum amount of money out of us fans. So, it MUST be true!

  35. Why not both? by IcEMaN252 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Am I the only one who doesn't really see the difference in special effects between the original and the SEs? DVDs don't make it that hard to have multiple chapter sequences. There aren't that many differences between the two, so I'm sure one DVD could hold both versions with just a little extra video.

    --
    CitrusTV (http://www.citrustv.net): the Nation's Oldest & Largest Entirely Student-Run Television Station
  36. Re:Why not "Rise of the Sith"? by kfx · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The Sith were a race, but died out/intermingled with exiled dark Jedi thousands of years ago. At this point in the story though, the last remnants Sith bloodlines have been long since terminated--the "sith" are now just dark Jedi who follow of the Sith ideals. Sepcies-wise, Darth Maul was a Zabrak, not a Sith.

  37. Don't Buy the DVD's by irving47 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Don't buy the special edition DVD's and make a point of it to let them know why. Greedo does NOT FIRE FIRST!

    --
    I had a sucky sig.
  38. I Sense... by Titchski · · Score: 4, Funny

    A great disturbance in the Force, as if a million FanBoys cried out as one and then rushed out to queue up for Episode 3...

  39. For all the Geeked out haters by ITR81 · · Score: 3, Interesting
    SW's will keep going on and on with or without all of your snide comments.

    If everything followed the novels then everything would be too predictable in my opinion. If I recall Spiderman nor LOTR followed everything that happened in the comics or novels. But did this make the films less enjoyable? No, they didn't.

    When Peter Jackson makes another sequel and it doesn't match up(which he will) will you be little him as well.

    Atleast GL makes entertaining films for all ages not just SW fans which I give him credit for. Unlike LOTR most kids won't stay the 3 hrs to watch it. But they will for SW. Sometimes I think most forget that SW was designed more for kids and teenagers not some old adult. Remember critics and adults back in the late 70's said the orig. SW wouldn't make any money but it did, because it was written for the kids not the adults in mind.

    You know your Geek when you complain about movie franchise continuity over the net

  40. He's got one more chance. by xmorg · · Score: 3, Funny

    Darth Vader says: Dont fail me again.... Lucas.

  41. Great. by SomeGuyFromCA · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Lucas has finally realized that a) he can't write dialogue and b) fight scenes require no dialogue*. Also c) sabrefights are flashy and expensive and people like them. Therefore d) look for lots of sabrefights.

    He's also realized that e) the great majority of his audience were fans of the originals and f) repeating yourself requries no creativity therefore g) he'll throw in as many references to the originals as possible. (Tatooine, the bots, Jabba, Chewbacca...)

    (*: however, the right dialogue can greatly improve a fight scene, especially a duel. See "I want my father back, you son of a bitch! ")

    --
    if the answer isn't violence, neither is your silence / freedom of expression doesn't make it alright
  42. Re:he just had to have revenge by bckrispi · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Because there were more Sith. Like Count Doku. I find it hard to believe he was only converted to the dark side after the demise of Darth Maul. The Clone War was a long time in preparation.

    Like who?? And why can't you believe he didn't succumb to the dark side after Maul's fall?? There were 10 years between the two prequels. Dooku was an "idealist". Like his apprentice, Qui-gon, he had misgivings about the senate. At some point (presumably between ep1 & 2), this drove him away from the Jedi order and the republic. At some point, Dooku meets Sidious. His political idealism is corrupted by his lust for the power the Dark Side offers. So he becomes the apprentice to Sidious.

    Dunno. Maybe he wasn't officially Sith. Like he didn't complete the paperwork or something.

    Just because you have a tendancy to use the Dark Side doesn't make you a sith lord, any more than the ability to shoot a rifle makes you a Marine.

    And then, in the cartoon series, Doku is recruiting his own apprentice (the freaky bald chick). And in the mean time, Palpatine is recruiting Skywalker. The series, BTW, is supposed to be occuring in between Ep2 and Ep3.

    Grrrrphhh. I'm sorry, but I am really tired of people calling events like this a contradiction. You're educated people; read between the lines already! Vader tried recruting Luke. Why?? So, as his Apprentice, Vader would be the Sith Master, and together, they would overthrow palpatine/sidious. Two Sith: no more, no less. Palpatine tried to recruit Luke as his apprentice. Why? Because Vader had become too powerful and ambitious and had revealed his desire to become the Master. He even explains this in the film: Now, fulfil your destiny, and take your father's place at my side!. Again, exactly two sith! What I think is totally brilliant (if not accidental) is the scene in ESB where Vader is in contact with Palpatine, discussing Luke. With what we know now, both Vader and Palp knew what was going to happen. Luke needed to be turned; as a Jedi, he would be a risk that could undo all of their schemes. They could simply kill him, but they both know that he may be worth more to each of their personal agendas alive. They know that one of the three of them will have to die. The Apprentice will always try to take the place of his master, and the Master will need to eliminate his apprentice before he gains enough power and ambition to do so. We see this in AOTC as well, as Dooku, ready to give himself a promotion, tries luring Obi-wan to the Dark side with the pretence of "Destroying the sith". He does this again in the CN series. Meanwhile, Palpatine has had Anakin on deck for over a decade ready to take Dooku's place.

    Please explain how any of this is a contradition?

    --
    Xenon, where's my money? -Borno
  43. Re:Damn it, damn it, damn it by lavar78 · · Score: 2, Funny
    I saw them as a kid, and Vader still is 'the man' when it comes to bad guys. No amount of R2D2, or Boba Fett or Yoda will change that.
    Well, taking off that helmet had quite an effect.
    --
    "Dave, I stand still--the conclusions jump to me!" - Bill McNeal, NewsRadio
  44. Re:dark side versus evil by nine-times · · Score: 2, Interesting
    We are never really presented with the perspective of the dark side that can be rationalized. There's innuendo to some sort of quicker gratification through the dark side of the force, that it is more seductive, but we never see why people who fall to the dark side are bound to it.

    I don't even want to talk about the new movies. If they did try to 'explore' the dark side, it would probably be explained that "the Sith have Meta bad ians". Oh, if only Joseph Campell were alive to tell Lucas how to write movies again.

    But as to how people are lured to the Dark side, we're tol in the movie, for one, that it's easier. Like- you want to be a bad-ass with a lightsaber? Well, to be a Jedi is hard. It requires training and discipline. Join the Sith, and you can start kicking butt right away. You want to fight battles and be a glorious hero? You want to be king of the universe, or at least the king's general? Be a Sith. Jedis live like monks. Which sounds more seductive to you?

    Of course, there's more. There are a number of metaphors floating around in the original 3. But asking why people are seduced by the dark side is (literally) asking why people do "bad things".

  45. Re:This film will be more like a funeral by darth_MALL · · Score: 2

    How about making a real statement and not see it at all. Leave it for the fans like me who appreciate these for what they are. ENTERTAINING MOVIES! I don't think this franchise is anything to martyr thyself for. If you think it's that bad...Don't See It. They are for entertainment purposes Only. ;)

  46. How much money do you have? by MacFury · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It depends...would you consider yourself rich? If you are poor (or black) then it's illegal for you. If you are rich, then they will look the other way.

  47. They Download Torrents, Don't They? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative
    Just download the torrent of the laser disc of the original trilogy. It comes complete with menus, extras and is ready to burn on a dvd. No fuss, no muss. There's a needless Blink 182 video easter egg that got tacked on after the fact but it's the best free copy of the original Star Wars that you can see. And you can muck with it all and make your own menus and stuff. You people know who you are.

    And if you think that's stealing, you can go fuck yourself. George Lucas released a film in 1977 and he doesn't get to retract that from the world. If it were officially released, i'd pay what he wanted, but the special editions are just that. It's an older man looking back on his work and wondering what could have been. It's petty and it's wrong.

    Star Wars is a piece of art. In its original incarnation. That's what we were shown for 25 years and sold for over half our lives. Now that we've made an empire, we get to live under its rule?

    I'm not saying all files should be free. I'm not saying you should rob artists blind, but George Lucas is a billionare and Star Wars is a landmark film in American Cinema.

    It's not only stupid to deny it to the public, it's impossible

  48. Re:Damn it, damn it, damn it by __aatgod8309 · · Score: 2, Funny

    But isn't 'decent copy of the Holiday Special' an oxymoron?

  49. Re:Damn it, damn it, damn it by crucini · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I agree. As 12 year old, I wanted to be Vader and to kill Luke. But Han Solo was pretty cool.

    Vader is a well-done incarnation of the Jungian "evil father" archetype. The ideas flowed from Jung through Joseph Campbell to Lucas.

    Watching the movie again ("ep 4") I'm annoyed that Vader's voice is not as deep as I remembered.

  50. Dont you dare believe him! by gad_zuki! · · Score: 2, Funny

    The real title will be the Return of the Sith.

  51. Question to Star Wars geeks by LuSiDe · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If Sidious is Palpetine (which i assumed from PM) then who is the Dark Jedi Master who Yoda killed on Dagobah who's force is still present on the Dagobah cave as seen in ep 5 and which force made Yoda's presence unsensable?

    --
    WE DON'T NEED NO BLOG CONTROL.
  52. I was there! by Mr.+Spleen · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I went to the Comic-Con today for the sole purpose of seeing the Sin City panel... for the sole purpose of seeing Jessica Alba in person. (Hey, can you really blame me? =)

    Anyway, the Sin City panel was to take place immediately after the Star Wars thing (in the same hall). So I went in early and sat in on the last half hour of the Star Wars bit. This turned out to be just in time to see them show some preview stuff, and announce the name. Then Hayden came out, and there were questions from the audience. It was a very cool thing to be there for.

    On another note, Sin City (based on the graphic novels by Frank Miller) looks as though it is going to be one of THE BEST movies of next year. Director Robert Rodriguez insisted on doing a translation of the stories (instead of an adaptation), and the preview they showed was amazing (it should be released online in about 3 weeks).

    And yes, Jessica Alba was unbelievably stunning, drop-dead gorgeous, and every other synonym for beautiful that there is. I don't care what anyone says, she is the most perfect female specimen possible. =D

    Mr. Spleen

  53. Re:Who cares? by solios · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Well, that tears that.

    I'm buying either laserdiscs or clean, good quality VHS THX remasters and transferring them to DVD using the hardware I have access to myself.

    I don't want the EX Plus Alpha II Special Champion Edition Star Wars. I want Han Shooting first. I want the goddamned seedy bar band, NOT the broadway mupped production number.

    And it looks like I'll have to make it myself.

    So be it!

  54. Re:The whole thing depresses me by gamgee5273 · · Score: 2, Informative
    The title of "Episode IV: A New Hope" was added in the fall re-release in 1977, not during the 1997 SE re-releases. I was there, I remember it and it is far from the "retroactive tampering" you are whining about.

    Also, you're in the minority on ANH being the best film - ESB is considered to be, by far, the best of the movies. The original (and the others) is severely lacking when it comes to 1) acting; 2) plot; 3) direction; and 4) emotion. However, when you consider the Leigh Brackett (who, by the way, was a better writer than Asimov any day) was one of the screenwriters for ESB and the Irwin Kirschner was the director, you can see why. I highly suggest viewing both movies with an open mind and you'll see why ESB is clearly the stronger film out of the two.

    There have been many of us in the fanbase asking for Lucas to bring Kirschner back for the prequels but: 1) Lucas is quoted as telling Kirschner "You're ruining my movie!" during the filming of ESB; and 2) Kirschner has said he would never work for Lucas again.

    And, finally, some constructive criticism: don't try to assume that all of the fans are placing SW on the same level as Asimov or Tolkien. Lucas definitely doesn't. SW is FANTASY, not science fiction. It has never pretended to be science fiction (just because there are lasers and spaceships and robots does not make it SF). Stop trying to compare it to something it was never meant to be compared to. If you want to be academic then go read Harlan Ellison.

    Oh, well. I enjoy the movies for what they are: popcorn fare and some fun storytelling. And, yes, I will be sitting in a showing on opening day. :p

  55. Has anyone else noticed? by Razzak · · Score: 2, Insightful

    He gets ripped for making things different in Ep 1-3, and gets ripped for making them the same as well?

    They're movies. The first series was great because of its special effects at the time and people still like them because of their Coke-like qualities (familiarity, reminds us of childhood, etc).

    The new ones are just sci-fi movies in a time where there are too many sci-fi movies. I like'em, but they're not amazing. The bar was set too high.

  56. Laserdiscs - DVD? by Udo+Schmitz · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I wonder if anyone with access to the the LaserDisc versions of the original trilogy and/or THX 1138 ever bothered to make an MPEG2 release to burn on DVDs? And to release that on any P2P?

  57. Internal working title by MemoryDragon · · Score: 2, Funny

    The passion of jar jar. Contents: Jar jar being tortured for almost three hours by the emperor....

  58. Survival of the geekest? by michaeldot · · Score: 2, Funny
    >> "Official Star Wars Fan Club."

    > That's a lot of DNA which will never get passed on.

    Posting that comment on Slashdot? Hello pot, kettle on line two!

  59. WHAT?!?! No Holiday Special DVD? by Ath · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I cannot even believe they refuse to release this piece of work. Or piece of something.

    Nothing says Star Wars like Bea Arthur and Art Carney.

    Don't know about the Star Wars Holiday Special? Google for it. You won't be disappointed.

  60. Re:Damn it, damn it, damn it by ultranova · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm still confused as to why Lucas is attempting to "bury" the original theatrical versions of the films.

    Propably because he thinks that the new versions are better and wants to be remembered by his best work ?

    "Forget the buggy beta, this is the final release !"

    as a kid, i grew up watching the original trilogy, and the presence of late-90's computer graphics in the so-called "special editions" is just distracting.

    Forget the computer graphics. What I found really distracting is that in ESB, they've added more dialogue for Vader ("Bring my shuttle" - after Luke jumps to the rift - Lukes scream is a bad addition too, IMHO silent falling worked better) . Well, that's all fine and good, but the voice is different. I'd propably not had noticed if I didn't have the rest of Vaders scenes to compare to, but now it leaves me wondering if Luke didn't hit him where it hurts ;).

    thankfully, I managed to pull the pre-special-edition laserdisc rips off of bittorrent a few weeks ago.

    Carefull ! You never know when copyright infringement is retroactively made into a death penalty offense !

    --

    Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

  61. I -HATE- surprise celebrity guests by 88NoSoup4U88 · · Score: 2, Interesting
    "surprise celebrity guests"

    One of the things that put me off Star Wars : THe phantom menace, was those 'celebrities' playing roles, that totally f*cked over the Universe.

    Come on, Samuel L. Jackson as one of the wise guys... Seriously...

  62. Re:Damn it, damn it, damn it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting
    It's much worse than that. The prequels have revealed that the Empire was actually an significant improvement over the old republic, and that the Jedi were completely amoral.

    Episode 1 has Jedi sending a slave child to fight for his life in an arena. Most of the pilots in the podrace died, like any good colluseum race. Afterwards, they free him because of his genetics (anyone who doesn't match the Jedi genotype is considered worthless.) In the republic, we see slavery is common and death is cheap; under the empire, we know of no slaves, and we know there is upward mobility (Luke, a simple rural farmboy, had the chance at higher education) Jabba went from public death spectacles in the Republic to hiding from the empire. The Republic slaughters primitive natives on Naboo, while the Empire allowed them to live in peace right next to a major military base on Endor.

    The only people who speak ill of the Empire are people known to be Rebels; the non-aligned people we see are Owen and Beru, who are strongly anti-rebel. The only major atrocity commited by the Empire is the destructioon of Alderaan- but the only person claiming it's a peaceful planet is Leia, who is very clearly lying throught that scene. Diplomatic Mission, indeed.

    The Jedi are trying to train people to be amoral. What sort of person would leave his mother in slavery? What sort of evil guardian would condemn someone for attempting to rescue his own mother from slavery? Evil, Evil people. In some ways it is worse than that, they're teaching that no one without a high mitochondria^Wmidicholorian count is worthwhile.

    In fact, the Sith's motives are rather opaque except that they oppose the Republic. Considering how evil the Republic is, no real temptation is needed, Vader may just decide that he doens't want to work for the evil "light" Jedi any more, and work to build a better future under an Empire.

    The only problem is that this rather makes the end of RotJ a sad thing- the galaxy is now back to anarchy.

  63. Re:Damn it, damn it, damn it by techwolf · · Score: 2, Funny

    Heh... he said helmet.

    --
    I don't do this for karma, I do it for cash. It's much better.